Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Marriott Demonstrates That China Rules All of Us

temple
Jan 13 2018

When Austin tried to impose its own regulations on Uber, they learned that they were too small a market to matter. California and New York may be able to influence a company’s behavior, but Austin cannot. As regulation is increasingly global, the most important markets set the rules.

China is the next big thing. That was true 15 years ago, and it will be true 15 years from now. But for companies making a big bet in the country, Beijing is able to exercise global sway.

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Travel Companies are Running Scared of What’s on Their Websites Because China

wall of china
Jan 13 2018

IHG Rewards Club has issued an update to its terms and conditions. And there’s only one change, repeated a few times in a few different ways. They want to make very sure you know that Taiwan is part of ‘Greater China’.

China’s civil aviation authority demanded a public apology from Delta and changes to its website for listing Tibet and Taiwan as countries.

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Redemptions for Kimpton Hotels Now Live at IHG Rewards Club

Jan 10 2018

IHG folded Kimpton and its Karma Rewards program into IHG Rewards Club. In the process they sanitized the benefits offered to elites, although they’re maintaining Kimpton’s top ‘Inner Circle’ level as an invitation-only program similar to Intercontinental properties and Royal Ambassador, with no public criteria for how members will earn it.

The upside to all of this is supposed to be for IHG Rewards Club members generally, more nice and interesting properties to use there points at. And that is now live on the IHG website.

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Torture Prison Ritz-Carlton Riyadh Re-opens to Guests for a Very Special Valentine’s Day

hotel lobby
Jan 10 2018

In early November Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia moved to consolidate power, arresting senior princes, the wealthy, and former government leaders under the banner of a new anti-corruption campaign.

The high profile prisoners were held inside the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. All guests on property were unilaterally kicked out, reservations dishonored. But guests will apparently be welcomed back for Valentine’s Day.

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IHG Guts Best Rate Guarantee, Eliminates Free Nights, Gives 24% Back in Points Instead

skyscrapers in city
Jan 10 2018

Hotel Best Rate Guarantees are mostly vaporware. Hotel chains want you to book directly through them because it costs them less to make a reservation themselves than it does to pay a commission to Expedia or other online travel sites (or travel agents). So they want you to believe you’ll get the best rate booking direct.

Best rate gurantees are largely a marketing claim rather than a promise, and they generally contain so much fine print and so many hoops as to be meaningless (on purpose).

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Hilton Introducing Faster Elite Points-Earning, Roll Over Nights, and Gifting Status

hotel room
Jan 08 2018

Hilton wants guests to stay with the program and have spent a lot of time making small points balances useful. And this month they’re introducing a suite of new American Express credit cards with really strong benefits.

However today they’re announcing improvements for elite members — how they earn points, earn status, and gift status as well.

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